Pulleys and Wheel and Axle Worksheet
Engineer's tip (Count the ropes): Fixed pulley: changes direction, effort = load. Pulley system: effort = load ÷ supporting rope sections; rope pulled = lift height × that number. Wheel and axle: MA = wheel radius ÷ axle radius; effort = load ÷ MA.
NameDateTime takenScore ___ / 40
- 1.True or false: a fixed pulley makes you pull 2× rope. (a) True (b) False
- 2.🪝 What does a single fixed pulley change? (a) gravity (b) the colour of rope (c) the size of the load (d) the direction of pull
- 3.🪝 A well winch has a handle (wheel) of radius 8 cm turning an axle of radius 1 cm. What is its mechanical advantage (MA)?
- 4.🪝 A pulley system has 2 rope sections holding up the load. To lift the load by 6 m, how many metres of rope must you pull?
- 5.🪝 A load of 210 N hangs from a pulley system in which 3 rope sections hold up the load. What effort is needed, in newtons? (ideal pulleys)
- 6.🪝 More rope sections holding a load means … (a) no change (b) less effort needed (c) more effort needed (d) the load floats
- 7.🪝 A wheel and axle is a big wheel fixed to … (a) a smaller rod (axle) (b) a flat ramp (c) a sharp wedge (d) a loose rope
- 8.🪝 A bucket weighing 120 N is lifted with a single fixed pulley at the top of a well. What effort is needed, in newtons? (ideal pulley, no friction)
- 9.True or false: a fixed pulley halves the effort. (a) False (b) True
- 10.🪝 Fixed or movable pulley: which one only changes direction? (a) a fixed pulley (b) a movable pulley
- 11.🪝 A load of 90 N hangs from a pulley system in which 3 rope sections hold up the load. What effort is needed, in newtons? (ideal pulleys)
- 12.🪝 A well winch has a handle (wheel) of radius 16 cm turning an axle of radius 4 cm. What is its mechanical advantage (MA)?
- 13.🪝 A pulley system has 4 rope sections holding up the load. To lift the load by 8 m, how many metres of rope must you pull?
- 14.🪝 A winch has a wheel of radius 12 cm and an axle of radius 3 cm. What effort on the wheel lifts an 80 N bucket on the axle, in newtons? (ideal)
- 15.True or false: a fixed pulley rises with the load. (a) False (b) True
- 16.🪝 Fixed or movable pulley: which one rises with the load? (a) a fixed pulley (b) a movable pulley
- 17.🪝 Fixed or movable pulley: which one needs effort = load? (a) a movable pulley (b) a fixed pulley
- 18.🪝 Fixed or movable pulley: which one stays in one place? (a) a fixed pulley (b) a movable pulley
- 19.True or false: a fixed pulley needs effort = load. (a) True (b) False
- 20.🪝 A pulley system lifts a 150 N load with an effort of 50 N. What is its mechanical advantage (MA)?
- 21.🪝 A load of 600 N hangs from a pulley system in which 2 rope sections hold up the load. What effort is needed, in newtons? (ideal pulleys)
- 22.🪝 A well winch has a handle (wheel) of radius 16 cm turning an axle of radius 2 cm. What is its mechanical advantage (MA)?
- 23.🪝 A winch has a wheel of radius 14 cm and an axle of radius 2 cm. What effort on the wheel lifts a 420 N bucket on the axle, in newtons? (ideal)
- 24.🪝 A bucket weighing 40 N is lifted with a single fixed pulley at the top of a well. What effort is needed, in newtons? (ideal pulley, no friction)
- 25.🪝 A bucket weighing 470 N is lifted with a single fixed pulley at the top of a well. What effort is needed, in newtons? (ideal pulley, no friction)
- 26.🪝 A load of 560 N hangs from a pulley system in which 4 rope sections hold up the load. What effort is needed, in newtons? (ideal pulleys)
- 27.🪝 A well winch has a handle (wheel) of radius 8 cm turning an axle of radius 4 cm. What is its mechanical advantage (MA)?
- 28.🪝 A winch has a wheel of radius 12 cm and an axle of radius 4 cm. What effort on the wheel lifts a 480 N bucket on the axle, in newtons? (ideal)
- 29.🪝 A bucket weighing 130 N is lifted with a single fixed pulley at the top of a well. What effort is needed, in newtons? (ideal pulley, no friction)
- 30.🪝 Fixed or movable pulley: which one is on a flagpole top? (a) a movable pulley (b) a fixed pulley
- 31.🪝 A pulley system lifts a 480 N load with an effort of 240 N. What is its mechanical advantage (MA)?
- 32.🪝 A pulley system has 3 rope sections holding up the load. To lift the load by 3 m, how many metres of rope must you pull?
- 33.🪝 A bucket weighing 440 N is lifted with a single fixed pulley at the top of a well. What effort is needed, in newtons? (ideal pulley, no friction)
- 34.🪝 Fixed or movable pulley: which one halves the effort? (a) a fixed pulley (b) a movable pulley
- 35.🪝 A pulley system lifts a 400 N load with an effort of 200 N. What is its mechanical advantage (MA)?
- 36.🪝 A pulley system lifts a 300 N load with an effort of 150 N. What is its mechanical advantage (MA)?
- 37.🪝 A well winch has a handle (wheel) of radius 40 cm turning an axle of radius 5 cm. What is its mechanical advantage (MA)?
- 38.🪝 A bucket weighing 270 N is lifted with a single fixed pulley at the top of a well. What effort is needed, in newtons? (ideal pulley, no friction)
- 39.🪝 A well winch has a handle (wheel) of radius 25 cm turning an axle of radius 5 cm. What is its mechanical advantage (MA)?
- 40.🪝 A pulley system lifts a 680 N load with an effort of 170 N. What is its mechanical advantage (MA)?
Answer key
- False
- the direction of pull
- 8
- 12
- 70
- less effort needed
- a smaller rod (axle)
- 120
- False
- a fixed pulley
- 30
- 4
- 32
- 20
- False
- a movable pulley
- a fixed pulley
- a fixed pulley
- True
- 3
- 300
- 8
- 60
- 40
- 470
- 140
- 2
- 160
- 130
- a fixed pulley
- 2
- 9
- 440
- a movable pulley
- 2
- 2
- 8
- 270
- 5
- 4
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